The Automobile Club de l'Ouest, organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans , has introduced a series of performance tweaks just weeks prior to the race held mid-June.
After an analysis of the performance of the cars during the 1000km of Spa held a few weeks ago, the ACO has decided to implement a series of rule changes in a bid to equalise performance between the turbo diesel and petrol engine LMP1 Prototypes.
The new rules are the followings:
Petrol LMP1s will now have their air restrictors increased in size by 0.3mm and be allowed to reduce their weight by 10kg in a bid to ensure that their performances fall within two per cent of the quickest diesel-powered car at Le Mans.
If the weight cannot be reduced, a 0.5mm increase in air restrictor size will be permitted.
Petrol-powered LMP1s will also benefit from a faster rate of refuelling, their hoses being increased by 10mm diameter, while diesel machines, such as the works Audi R18 s and Peugeot 908s, have had their fuel hoses reduced by 0.3mm diameter.
The older-spec, ORECA-run Peugeot 908 has had 15kg removed off its base weight.
The Lotus Evora that runs in the GTE category has had its performance tweaked.
| |
| Pescarolo petrol-powered (photo: WRI2) |
After an analysis of the performance of the cars during the 1000km of Spa held a few weeks ago, the ACO has decided to implement a series of rule changes in a bid to equalise performance between the turbo diesel and petrol engine LMP1 Prototypes.
The new rules are the followings:
Petrol LMP1s will now have their air restrictors increased in size by 0.3mm and be allowed to reduce their weight by 10kg in a bid to ensure that their performances fall within two per cent of the quickest diesel-powered car at Le Mans.
If the weight cannot be reduced, a 0.5mm increase in air restrictor size will be permitted.
Petrol-powered LMP1s will also benefit from a faster rate of refuelling, their hoses being increased by 10mm diameter, while diesel machines, such as the works Audi R18 s and Peugeot 908s, have had their fuel hoses reduced by 0.3mm diameter.
The older-spec, ORECA-run Peugeot 908 has had 15kg removed off its base weight.
The Lotus Evora that runs in the GTE category has had its performance tweaked.
| |
| Peugeot 908 diesel-powered (Photo: WRI2) |